Oct 09 2009
Electrical Power Tool Safety
Other general precautions to take with power tools are:
Never carry tools by the cord.
Never yank the cord to disconnect it from the receptacle.
Disconnect tools when changing blades, bits, or cutters.
Avoid loose clothing that can get caught in moving parts.
Watch for trip hazards from cords.
Do not use electrical tools in wet or damp locations.
Another important aspect of electrical power tools is guarding.
Lack of proper guarding, or improper use of guards is a frequent OSHA violation.
OSHA’s stance on guarding is that any hazardous moving parts of a tool that an employee can come into contact with must be guarded. All tools are required to have guards properly in place when in use except under the following conditions:
When there was no guard manufactured for the particular tool.
When the circular blade or abrasive wheel is less than 2 inches in diameter (such as a “Dremel” tool, or die-grinder).
When a grinding wheel is used inside of an object that surrounds the wheel completely (such as grinding the inside of a steel pipe).
When it is impossible to use a grinding wheel with the guard in place due to the configuration of the workpiece.
In the last case, safety flanges (which mount onto the grinding wheel) would have to be used with the grinding wheel, and the grinding wheel manufactured for use with safety flanges. In the case of tools which had no guards at the time of manufacture, OSHA will not require guards to be fabricated. OSHA will however require the use of personal protective equipment by any involved workers.
Interestingly enough, OSHA even has requirements for the type of electrical switches used on power tools. Power tools are allowed one of three type of switches.
Drills, fastener drivers, grinders (with wheels larger than 2 inches), disc and belt sanders, saber saws, reciprocating saws and other similar tools shall have the momentary “On-Off” switch. This switch may have the “Lock-On” control which allows the worker to release with the same trigger finger. Small disc sanders and grinders with wheel less than 2 inches, routers, planers, nibblers, shears, and jigsaws with blade shanks 1/4 inch wide or less may have a positive “On-Off” switch. Circular saws, chain saws and percussion tools that cannot be easily held shall have constant-pressure switches that will shut off the power when released.
Naturally some electrical tools are safer than others. Battery-powered tools are intrinsically safe from electrical shock. There are also some low-voltage tools that operate through a transformer, which offers some greater protection, and then the double-insulated tools have an insulated body that offers protection without using the grounding conductor. In any case, OSHA would still require extension cords to be three-pronged even if used with two-pronged devices since the cords would likely be used later on other tools or equipment.
This is part two of a two part series on Electrical Power Tool Safety.
Omni Safety Services provides OSHA safety manuals for thousands of businesses in the construction industry
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